Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1887-08-11

day, after the address of Hon. John S. Bar
bour, which was patriotic and of course
democratic and sensible, was temporarily
organized by the election of Samuel FL.
Motif, of Rockingham, as chairman and
John Bell Bigger as secretary. Mr.. Moflit,
upon taking the chair, eulogized the admin
istration of President Cleveland, and the
cheers were so great that the speaker was
interrupted for several minutes. He crea
ted the greatest enthusiasm when he said
that President Cleyeland's administration
was the most American and most honest the
country had had during the last half GEN.
tury. After q recess Hon. John Goode, of
Norfolk, was made permanent chairman,
and addressed the convention, declaring in
favor of the Riddleberger bill as a finality
in the settlement of the State debt. He in
dorsed President Cleveland, and was greet
ed with applause. Another recess was ia
ken until evening, when Senator John w.
Daniel was called for with wild demonstra-
tons He also eulogized the administra-
ton, but condemned civil service reform in
strong language In brief speech Lieut..
Gov. Massey advocated giving the bond
holders six months in which to fund the old
bonds into Riddlehefgef bonds, and there
after refuse TO refund for those who decline
this settlement.
THE PLATFORM
adopted commends the administration of
President Cleveland aud pledges him the
support of the Virginia democracy de-
mands the immediate repeal of the internal
revenue system, relic of the war and no
longer necessary to meet the demands of
the government, because 1t is so oppressive,
fosters monopolies, and is obnoxious to the
interests of our people, favors raising the
revenue requisite for the support of the fed
eral government by tariff upon imports,
limited to the necessities of the Government
economically administered, and so adjusted
in its application as to prevent unequal
burdens, encourage productive interests at
home, the development of our material re-
sources, and to afford just compensation to
labor, but not to foster mouopolies; APP
proves the action OF the last general assem-
bly,, and says the party will never support
or sanction any adjustment of the debt
which shall impose larger liability upon
the commonwealth than that recognized
end provided for by the Riddleberger bill,
and pledges the party to enact all laws nee
essarv to render such a settlement, effective,
final. and decisive. Congress will be asked
to give the State compensation for loss
from the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of her territory
disabled soldiers will be provided for;
liberal public school system is promised;
the importation of foreign paupcr labor is
protested against, and the administration
of Gov Lee is Endorsed.
Geo. Rodgey, eighteen years old, who re-
sided near Williamsport, in Grant county,
was struck by lightning Saturday and in
stantly killed He was sitting near the fire.
place in his fathers's house, when the bolt
came down the chimney through a stove
pipe hole The only mark left by the sub
tie fluid was small blue spot on the young
mans right shoulder. The stage driver, on
returning from Petersburg, in the same
county, said that just as he passed Rodgey's
house Saturday large ball of fire, about
two feet in diameter, fell from the clouds,
and when about sig feet from the ground
burst with terrific report, scattering
streaks of flame in every direction, and so
frightening his horses rs to render them al
most unmanageable. This was few min
utes after Rodgey was killed.
Van b. Baker, who has been OH trial for
some days at New Cumberland, W. Va,
was on Saturday convicted of murder in the
first degree. His alleged crime was the
murder of his wife and his motherinlaw,
Mrs. McWha, by splittsng open their heads
with some sharp weapon. The evidence
was entirely circHmstantiql. The desire to
get possession of their property was the
supposed motive.